Clarets secure win over Tigers

Chelmsford City completed their first League double of the season on Saturday afternoon, defeating Gloucester City 2-0.

Christopher Dickson gave the Clarets the lead on 16 minutes as he reacted quickly to head beyond Tom Hadler. Kudus Oyenuga doubled the visitors’ lead towards the end of the second half, converting from the spot after Shaun Batt was fouled.

The hosts provided the first chance of the afternoon when Ethan Moore stabbed a shot over from close range. Chelmsford had held possession at the other end of the pitch when Gloucester initiated a blistering counter attack, Karnell Chambers delivered a cross into the box which was nodded away but Moore shot the rebound well over.

Minutes later Chelmsford had their own chance of the game. Bagasan Graham’s left-wing cross was headed away but only as far as Daniel Green who, after stepping to the side, sent a curling shot into Hadler’s arms.

The hosts continued to provide most of the chances and continued to create pressure as Joe Parker’s overhead kick tested Sam Beasant.

But Will Morford’s side were left rueing their missed chances as Chelmsford took the lead on 16 minutes. The Clarets were given a freekick ten yards inside the Gloucester half, Green stepped up to deliver the set-piece and – after having his first attempt blocked – the winger delivered a second cross which Dickson connected with by nodding a looping header over Hadler.

City’s goal seemed to provide a boost in energy to the visiting side as, minutes later, Oyenuga drove forward before fizzing a shot straight at the Tigers’ ‘keeper. The hosts then came close to levelling seven minutes after Dickson’s header, however Chambers’ volleyed effort struck the bar after Isaac Kelly’s curling effort was superbly stopped by Beasant.

The Tigers continued to search for an equaliser, however it seemed impossible to beat Chelmsford ‘keeper Sam Beasant. Chambers followed up his earlier effort – which struck the woodwork – by having a low shot dribble into the Clarets shot-stopper’s hands.

After the half-time interval – apart from a glanced header from Dickson – the hosts looked to turn their chances into rewards by grabbing an equaliser. Captain Tom Webb, who was celebrating his 700th appearance for the Tigers, sent Kelly’s drag-back over the bar, before Lewis Hall’s sharp cross was headed away by Michael Spillane.

Kelly created danger with a long searching cross from a wide position, but ‘keeper Beasant jumped to tip the delivery away.

The Clarets had the perfect chance to wrap up the win when Graham’s crass was knocked down to Batt by Luke Daley, however the substitute striker was unable to get a conclusive touch and convert from close range.

But, with eight minutes left on the clock, a loose ball into the box was controlled by Batt before being knocked down by a Gloucester City defender, leaving Whistler Scott Jackson no choice but to point to the spot.

Having scored twice from 12 yards during the week – in a resounding 6-0 win at Bowers & Pitsea in the BBC Essex Senior Cup – Oyenuga stepped up and side-footed a penalty beyond Hadler to ensure all three points would be returning to Essex.

Daley’s driving run five minutes from the end almost found a third goal for City, before Batt fell to the floor wanting a second penalty, however the points had already been secured as Chelmsford won for the first time in the League since Saturday 18th November.